Radio Room Statistics

Activity Report September 2011 to March 2012

WEBSITE RADIO STATISTICS FEB12

WEBSITE RADIO STATISTICS MARCH12

The MBTBC radio station call sign, VKQ 447, is a licensed Limited Coast Station. It operates to provide members and the general boating public with a safety service by recording boat movements, providing weather forecasts, tide times, etc. and arranging assistance from Coast Guard or Volunteer Marine Rescue units when required. Members are encouraged to log on with the station when going out on the water during its hours of operation and with the Coast Guard on weekends and public holidays.

Club members who hold marine radio operator’s certificates man the station on a voluntary basis. It operates 3 shifts between 0700 and 2130 Monday to Thursday and 0700 to 1730 on Friday, except public holidays; then handing over to Brisbane Coast Guard until 0700 Monday morning.

VKQ 447 also maintains a listening watch for the Coast Guard Redland Bay and Volunteer Marine Rescue Units at North Stradbroke Island, Victoria Point and Raby Bay when those stations are unattended. Frequencies monitored are 27 MHz channels 88 and 90, VHF channels 16, 21, 67, 73, 80, 81 and 82 and HF/MF frequency 2524. VKQ 447 is a highly respected station in central Moreton Bay and operators are always required. If you have a few hours to spare once a fortnight, either day or night, and have a radio operator’s certificate or prepared to get one, you are welcome to do a shift and enjoy the camaraderie of the Club down by the water’s edge.

For further information, contact the Safety and Communications Officer or the Radio Room on 3396 2778.

MANLY MOBILE VESSEL IDENTIFYING SYSTEM (MMVIS)

The MMVIS provides the vessel of a Club member with an identifying number that simplifies the Log On process.  Our system is presently restricted to MBTBC members.

A vessel will log on calling “VKQ 447, this is Manly Mobile xxx”, advise the number of people on board, destination and Estimated Time of Return.  Should an operator subsequently require further vessel’s details the operator can refer to the current registry working copy held in the Radio Room.

A Club member’s vessel is admitted to the system by completing a MBTBC Mobile Boat Number form and having a number issued and advised.

A form will be provided with each new member pack and the Office will forward completed forms to the Radio Room for number allocation and inclusion in the MMVIS register.

Operators may speak to vessel owners using the ramp to see if they wish to be included in the system and to fill out a MBTBC Mobile Boat Number form if required. 

A copy of the form including the allocated MMVIS number shall be provided to the vessel’s owner.

A MBTBC Mobile Boat Number form shall be forwarded to each member with the subscriptions account in March each year for new number applications or any changes in existing MMVIS vessel details.  A note on the form states that it is the responsibility of vessel owners and or skippers to ensure changes to their details are provided on an MMVIS form to the Radio Room.  

Forms will be available from the Office or the Radio Room or can be downloaded here MMVIS FORM

Jack Kennedy

Communications Officer